Security taskforce of "Chaoyang residents" wear unified armbands. (Photo/Beijing Youth Daily)

Hundreds of strictly selected people collectively known as "Chaoyang residents," ranging from deliverymen to water bill collectors, are assisting police in ensuring public safety, reported Beijing Youth Daily.

The term "Chaoyang residents"is well-know as they have previously helped police arrest high-profile drug users including celebrities.

In areas under charge of the district's Jinsong Police Station, local officials have issued red armbands to people from all walks of life to help prevent crime.

Pan Lei, a policeman at the station, said the armband with Chinese characters "Chaoyang residents" and a handshake symbol indicates the public and police have joined hands to ensure order.

Members of the security taskforce are comprised of deliverymen, sanitation workers, store inspectors, water bill collectors, car park attendants, property management personnel, guards employed by residential communities and building unit supervisors.

All members with red armbands have taken a training course and passed exams, according to police. A sanitation worker needs to be vigilant about suspicious items in a building and report clues on prostitution and drug use to police, said Yu Tao, deputy director of the police station.

A deliveryman should check packages and help monitor if there are banned knives inside, Yu added.

He also said the trained group has been active in providing security. On Sept. 3, a community guard tipped off police about a suspected thief who was later caught with the help of other group members. The guard received a 1,000 yuan ($150) reward the next day.

Yu said participation of community members in improving safety is still in the experimental stage and may be applied in more areas under the jurisdiction of the police station.

An expert once told Global Times that bringing more people into crime prevention is an effective method for public security bureaus to maintain public safety and also helps address the shortage of police.